Mark Giordano perfect fit to be Calgary Flames' captain

Calgary Flames' Mark Giordano shows off the 'C' on his jersey after being named the team's captain Friday. Giordano becomes the 19th player in franchise history to wear the captain’s 'C' for the Flames. Curtis Glencross and Mike Cammalleri will return as alternate captains. Photo by Jim Wells/Calgary Sun

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Mark Giordano wasn’t just the best choice to be named the 19th captain of the Calgary Flames.

He was the only choice.

Nobody in that dressing room epitomizes everything head coach Bob Hartley and upper management wants this team to be like than the man they call ‘Gio.’

Blessed with a work ethic unmatched in Flames silks, Giordano plays as hard in practice as he will in a 6-1 loss or a 3-0 win.

He never gives up.

He never quit when his OHL career ended without being drafted or despite the rigours of his first two seasons in the American Hockey League.

Kick-starting a massive rebuild that has most believing the recently-gutted Flames will be the worst team in the NHL, it’s clear there’s only one way this rag-tag bunch of characters can surprise anyone — with hard work.

There’s nobody better, then, to set the template for the endless stream of incoming youngsters than 29-year-old defenceman Giordano.

He blocks shots, he’s active in the community, he’s great with the media, he has a history here, and he’s signed for the next three years.

The only other man who could have been considered for the honour previously held by Jarome Iginla was Curtis Glencross, who was logically awarded alternate captaincy with Mike Cammalleri.

While he’s well-liked in the room and widely respected, Cammalleri’s contract status prohibited him from being considered. Entering the final year of his contract with a $6-million cap hit, Cammalleri will be traded well before this season’s trade deadline.

The fact that most people outside of Calgary probably shrugged or scratched their heads when hearing of Giordano’s appointment is irrelevant. Inside that room and inside this city, he is very well respected and admired.

He’s a leader who has forged an unlikely career out of an iron will to succeed. That’s a trait Flames coaches hope will be infectious.

He is a shining example of what every single youngster in that room should aspire to be.

His breakthrough season came four years ago when his 11 goals and 30 points set him up for the five-year, US$20.1-million contract extension he signed early the next season.

Although thoughts of him being a top-pair defenceman have since been tempered, he’s been a reliable top-four blueliner who can do a little bit of everything.

He’s not afraid to sacrifice his 6-ft, 200-lb. frame by hurling himself in front of a puck or dropping the mitts to protect a teammate.

He’s a consummate pro — a guy youngsters can look at and realize they, too, could end up being like if they dig deep.

The opportunity has never been better for anyone in this franchise to do like Giordano and shock people with talent, attitude and effort.

A testament to his confidence came in 2007 when GM Darryl Sutter refused to give Giordano a one-way contract, prompting the unproven Torontonian to pack up and head to Moscow for a year in the KHL. It was a risky move to be sure but one that paid off upon his return and made him a better player.

The big payoff came a few years later when he accepted the Flames five-year offer nearly a full year before becoming an unrestricted free agent. He knew then several teams like the Detroit Red Wings were interested in perhaps signing him as a replacement for Brian Rafalski or, eventually, Nicklas Lidstrom.

However, he chose the security and familiarity of Calgary despite the likelihood of greater riches elsewhere.

He wanted to stay with the organization that gave him his chance.

And now the decision is even that much more rewarding as one of the great success stories in recent Flames lore gets even better.

As Advertised in the Calgary SUN

Mark Giordano perfect fit to be Calgary Flames' captain

Mark Giordano wasn’t just the best choice to be named the 19th captain of the Calgary Flames.

He was the only choice.

Nobody in that dressing room epitomizes everything head coach Bob Hartley and upper management wants this team to be like than the man they call ‘Gio.’

Blessed with a work ethic unmatched in Flames silks, Giordano plays as hard in practice as he will in a 6-1 loss or a 3-0 win.

He never gives up.

He never quit when his OHL career ended without being drafted or despite the rigours of his first two seasons in the American Hockey League.

Kick-starting a massive rebuild that has most believing the recently-gutted Flames will be the worst team in the NHL, it’s clear there’s only one way this rag-tag bunch of characters can surprise anyone — with hard work.

There’s nobody better, then, to set the template for the endless stream of incoming youngsters than 29-year-old defenceman Giordano.

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